Ruder Than You
Encyclopedia
Ruder Than You is an American ska
band that was founded in 1989 at Penn State University and, in 1991, the group relocated to Philadelphia. While ska
and reggae
stylings have always provided the common musical thread, over the past 15 plus years Ruder Than You has been mixing in dancehall
, hip hop
, rocksteady
, and rub-a-dub – even adding elements of funk
, jazz
, and punk
- to create their own unique sound.
In 1992, Moon Records
, officially MoonSKA NYC, put out their debut album, Big Step, and its follow-up Horny for Ska in 1996. By the mid 1990’s the group had morphed from a five-piece into a nine-piece outfit and captured a loyal following in the Philadelphia and New York
areas. The group toured nationally, regularly opening up for groups like the Skatalites
, Steel Pulse
, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Desmond Dekker
, Ziggy Marley
, Special Beat
, Bad Manners
, Fishbone
, Yellowman
, Eek a Mouse, and No Doubt
. Ruder Than You CDs were internationally released in Japan and England, and songs can be found on dozens of ska compilations around the globe.
With Moon Records
defunct, the band released their long-awaited third album, Philly Stylee, on their own God’s Ghetto Records label. The CD features the late Trish Johnson on bari-sax
and several top Philadelphia guest musicians including jazz trumpeter, John Swana. Philly Stylee was recorded in spurts during the Third-wave ska trend between 1996 and 1999 with final vocal overdubs and mixes completed in 2004. Philly Stylees lengthy production was due to many factors affecting the band. This included the demise of the band’s former label Moon Records
, a 3-year incarceration of lead singer and toaster Freddie "3D" Weaver, and the death of bari-sax
player Trish Johnson, who was killed in the morning while traveling to Shenandoah, PA, to visit her mother. Despite these obstacles, after taking a nearly 3-year hiatus, the band began rehearsals again in 2003 and completed the CD.
The band’s latest release, and first truly fresh studio endeavor of the decade, is the 5-song EP entitled God’s Ghetto (2008). The EP is released on the East-African record label Lulu Nyeusi and represents the first known American ska-influenced music release on an African record label. Ruder Than You has always had an eclectic sound and this release is no exception. For this installment, the band chose tunes heavy on old school hip-hop and dancehall and emphasized lyrics penned by Weaver. While these songs differ a bit from the familiar feel of previous albums, they offer the same extraordinary energy and catchiness.
The band’s current roster of veteran members includes the Round Mound of Dub Sound - singer Freddie Weaver. Band leader Doug Dubrosky still sings and plays tenor sax. He and Don Pancoe on bass hail from the earliest days of RTY. Rod Martino and Chris Klimchak fill out the lineup on guitar and trombone, respectively. Larry "Ace" Snell of The Toasters
and Public Service sits on the drum throne.
The group has already started recording their next full-length CD which features their contemporary ska and rocksteady sounds.
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
band that was founded in 1989 at Penn State University and, in 1991, the group relocated to Philadelphia. While ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
and reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
stylings have always provided the common musical thread, over the past 15 plus years Ruder Than You has been mixing in dancehall
Dancehall
Dancehall is a genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1970s. Initially dancehall was a more sparse version of reggae than the roots style, which had dominated much of the 1970s. In the mid-1980s, digital instrumentation became more prevalent, changing the sound considerably,...
, hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
, rocksteady
Rocksteady
Rocksteady is a music genre that originated in Jamaica around 1966. A successor to ska and a precursor to reggae, rocksteady was performed by Jamaican vocal harmony groups such as The Gaylads, The Maytals and The Paragons. The term rocksteady comes from a dance style that was mentioned in the Alton...
, and rub-a-dub – even adding elements of funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
, jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, and punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
- to create their own unique sound.
In 1992, Moon Records
Moon Records
Moon Records may refer to:*Moon Records Ukraine, a Ukrainian record label*Moon Ska Records, a former American record label*Moon Records , a former Canadian record label mainly for Rush...
, officially MoonSKA NYC, put out their debut album, Big Step, and its follow-up Horny for Ska in 1996. By the mid 1990’s the group had morphed from a five-piece into a nine-piece outfit and captured a loyal following in the Philadelphia and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
areas. The group toured nationally, regularly opening up for groups like the Skatalites
The Skatalites
The Skatalites are a ska band from Jamaica. They played initially between 1963 and 1965, and recorded many of their best known songs in the period, including "Guns of Navarone". They also played on records by Prince Buster and backed many other Jamaican artists who recorded during that period...
, Steel Pulse
Steel Pulse
Steel Pulse is a roots reggae musical band. They originally formed at Handsworth Wood Boys School, in Birmingham, England, composed of David Hinds , Basil Gabbidon , and Ronald McQueen .-History:...
, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Desmond Dekker
Desmond Dekker
Desmond Dekker was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. Together with his backing group, The Aces , he had one of the first international Jamaican hits with "Israelites". Other hits include "007 " and "It Miek"...
, Ziggy Marley
Ziggy Marley
David "Ziggy" Marley is a Jamaican musician and leader of the band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. He is the oldest son of famed reggae musician Bob Marley...
, Special Beat
Special Beat
Special Beat is a 2 Tone band founded by members of The Specials and The Beat in the early 1990s. The band toured England, Japan and North America, and released some live albums.-Discography:*Live *Gangsters...
, Bad Manners
Bad Manners
Bad Manners are an English 2 Tone ska band. They quickly became the novelty favourites of the UK pop scene through their bald outsized frontman's on-stage antics, earning early exposure through their Top of The Pops exploits and an appearance in the live film documentary, Dance Craze.They were at...
, Fishbone
Fishbone
Fishbone is a U.S. alternative rock band formed in 1979 in Los Angeles, California, which plays a fusion of ska, punk rock, funk, hard rock and soul. Critics have noted of the band: "Fishbone was one of the most distinctive and eclectic alternative rock bands of the late '80s...
, Yellowman
Yellowman
Yellowman is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall deejay, widely known as King Yellowman...
, Eek a Mouse, and No Doubt
No Doubt
No Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California that formed in 1986. The ska-pop sound of their first album No Doubt , failed to make an impact...
. Ruder Than You CDs were internationally released in Japan and England, and songs can be found on dozens of ska compilations around the globe.
With Moon Records
Moon Records
Moon Records may refer to:*Moon Records Ukraine, a Ukrainian record label*Moon Ska Records, a former American record label*Moon Records , a former Canadian record label mainly for Rush...
defunct, the band released their long-awaited third album, Philly Stylee, on their own God’s Ghetto Records label. The CD features the late Trish Johnson on bari-sax
Baritone saxophone
The baritone saxophone, often called "bari sax" , is one of the largest and lowest pitched members of the saxophone family. It was invented by Adolphe Sax. The baritone is distinguished from smaller sizes of saxophone by the extra loop near its mouthpiece...
and several top Philadelphia guest musicians including jazz trumpeter, John Swana. Philly Stylee was recorded in spurts during the Third-wave ska trend between 1996 and 1999 with final vocal overdubs and mixes completed in 2004. Philly Stylees lengthy production was due to many factors affecting the band. This included the demise of the band’s former label Moon Records
Moon Records
Moon Records may refer to:*Moon Records Ukraine, a Ukrainian record label*Moon Ska Records, a former American record label*Moon Records , a former Canadian record label mainly for Rush...
, a 3-year incarceration of lead singer and toaster Freddie "3D" Weaver, and the death of bari-sax
Baritone saxophone
The baritone saxophone, often called "bari sax" , is one of the largest and lowest pitched members of the saxophone family. It was invented by Adolphe Sax. The baritone is distinguished from smaller sizes of saxophone by the extra loop near its mouthpiece...
player Trish Johnson, who was killed in the morning while traveling to Shenandoah, PA, to visit her mother. Despite these obstacles, after taking a nearly 3-year hiatus, the band began rehearsals again in 2003 and completed the CD.
The band’s latest release, and first truly fresh studio endeavor of the decade, is the 5-song EP entitled God’s Ghetto (2008). The EP is released on the East-African record label Lulu Nyeusi and represents the first known American ska-influenced music release on an African record label. Ruder Than You has always had an eclectic sound and this release is no exception. For this installment, the band chose tunes heavy on old school hip-hop and dancehall and emphasized lyrics penned by Weaver. While these songs differ a bit from the familiar feel of previous albums, they offer the same extraordinary energy and catchiness.
The band’s current roster of veteran members includes the Round Mound of Dub Sound - singer Freddie Weaver. Band leader Doug Dubrosky still sings and plays tenor sax. He and Don Pancoe on bass hail from the earliest days of RTY. Rod Martino and Chris Klimchak fill out the lineup on guitar and trombone, respectively. Larry "Ace" Snell of The Toasters
The Toasters
The Toasters was one of the first American bands in the third wave of ska, and is one of the longest active third wave ska bands.They have released nine studio albums, most of them on Moon Ska Records. The Toasters experienced a small degree of commercial success in the late 1990s due to the...
and Public Service sits on the drum throne.
The group has already started recording their next full-length CD which features their contemporary ska and rocksteady sounds.
Discography
- Big Step - Moon RecordsMoon RecordsMoon Records may refer to:*Moon Records Ukraine, a Ukrainian record label*Moon Ska Records, a former American record label*Moon Records , a former Canadian record label mainly for Rush...
- 1992 - Horny For Ska - Moon RecordsMoon RecordsMoon Records may refer to:*Moon Records Ukraine, a Ukrainian record label*Moon Ska Records, a former American record label*Moon Records , a former Canadian record label mainly for Rush...
- 1996 - Philly Stylee - God’s Ghetto Records - 2005
- God's Ghetto EP - Lulu Nyeusi Records, Tanzania - 2008
- Creation Sounds - God's Ghetto Records - 2009
Compilations
- The Shack - 1993 Dojo Limited/BIB Records, contains the song "Get Some Peace" .
- United Colors of SKA - 1993 Pork Pie Records, contains the song "I Want Justice".
- Ska The Third Wave - 1995 Continuum Records, contains the song "Swallow Blood".
- Ska The Third Wave Volume II - 1996 Shanachie RecordsShanachie RecordsShanachie Records was founded in 1976 by Richard Nevins and Dan Collins. According to Harvey Pekar , it is one of the largest independent record labels in the world, and is currently distributed by E1 Music. Starting as a label that specialized in fiddle music, they began releasing work by Celtic...
, contains live versions of the songs "Misskaculation" and "Paranoid". - Rude Vibes: The Ultimate Collection of New Skool Ska - 1996 Do The Dog Music, contains the song "Uncle Albert".
- SKAndalous: I’ve Gotcha Covered - 1996 Shanachie RecordsShanachie RecordsShanachie Records was founded in 1976 by Richard Nevins and Dan Collins. According to Harvey Pekar , it is one of the largest independent record labels in the world, and is currently distributed by E1 Music. Starting as a label that specialized in fiddle music, they began releasing work by Celtic...
, contains Ruder Than You’s version of Black Sabbath’s "Paranoid". - Oi-Skampilation Volume II - 1996 Radical Records, contains the song "I Want Justice".
- SKA: Cover it Up - 1997 Beloved Records, contains live versions of "Misskaculation" and "Paranoid".
- Deamons - 1997 Skully Enterprises, contains a live version of "Future Girl".
- SKAndalous: I’ve Gotcha Covered - Volume II - 1997 Shanachie RecordsShanachie RecordsShanachie Records was founded in 1976 by Richard Nevins and Dan Collins. According to Harvey Pekar , it is one of the largest independent record labels in the world, and is currently distributed by E1 Music. Starting as a label that specialized in fiddle music, they began releasing work by Celtic...
, features Ruder Than You’s version of The Beatles’ "Tax Man". - SKA: The Instrumentals - 1997 Beloved Records, contains the song "Swatara".
- Freedom Sounds: A Tribute to the Skatalites - 1997 Shanachie RecordsShanachie RecordsShanachie Records was founded in 1976 by Richard Nevins and Dan Collins. According to Harvey Pekar , it is one of the largest independent record labels in the world, and is currently distributed by E1 Music. Starting as a label that specialized in fiddle music, they began releasing work by Celtic...
, contains Ruder Than You’s Version of "El Pussycat". - Dancin’ Mood - 1997 Triple Crown RecordsTriple Crown RecordsTriple Crown Records is a New York-based record label. It is home to Hit the Lights, The Receiving End of Sirens, The Dear Hunter, Moving Mountains, and As Tall as Lions, among others...
, contains a live version of "Uncle Albert".
External links
- Official Website
- Purevolume Page
- Myspace Page
- Ruder Than You collection at the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
's live music archive